Emma Wilson
Button mushrooms are one of the easiest types of mushrooms to grow, and they're versatile in the kitchen. They're also known as Agaricus bisporus, and they represent one of the most commercially significant fungal species worldwide. You can grow them indoors with minimal space, and they don't need sunlight. They thrive in cool, dark places, like basements, crawl spaces, or closets, with temperatures between 65-75°F. You can buy simple kits that come with pre-inoculated substrates and spawn, making the process straightforward. When the cap pops open, they're mature and ready to harvest. You can twist them out of the soil or cut through the stem with a sharp knife.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Growth Cycle | Button mushrooms grow from microscopic spores that germinate into thread-like mycelium, which forms primordia (pins) that develop into mature fruiting bodies. |
| Environment | Mushrooms grow in cool, dark areas between 65-75°F (18.3-23.8°C). They should be shielded from light and disturbances. |
| Harvest Time | Harvest when the mushroom caps pop open and the "spines" elongate. |
| How to Pick | Gently twist the mushroom or cut it at the base with a sharp knife, just below where the cap meets the stem. |
| Yield | A mushroom bed should continue to produce mushrooms for 3-6 months, with multiple harvests possible from a single setup. |
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What You'll Learn
Button mushroom kits for beginners
Mushroom growing kits are a great way to start your mushroom-growing journey. They are simple, accessible, and can be used by beginners or experienced gardeners alike. Button mushrooms are the most widely cultivated mushroom in the USA and are a great choice for beginners as they are easy to grow and have a short growing cycle.
Getting Started
Button mushroom kits are available to buy online and are usually shipped with everything you need to get started. Kits include a pre-inoculated substrate with mushroom spawn, a colonized growing medium block, and a casing layer that you mix with water and apply to the block. The box the kit is shipped in can be converted into its growing chamber.
Caring for Your Mushrooms
Mushrooms should be treated like any other living plant. The box needs to be opened upon arrival as it will need to breathe and the process should be started within a week. Crops will grow back every 7-10 days and the kit will yield multiple harvests over a two-month period. Button mushrooms double in size every 24 hours so be sure to check your kit every morning and evening!
Harvesting Your Mushrooms
About two weeks after starting the kit, you should see small pinkish-white balls (primordia) where you slit the bag. You can harvest your mushrooms when the "spines" of the mushroom elongate and they reach full size. To pick your mushrooms, gently twist them or cut them at the base with a sharp knife.
Cooking with Your Mushrooms
Homegrown mushrooms are a versatile ingredient and can be used in anything from soups and salads to pizzas and beef stroganoff. They are packed with health benefits, including B vitamins, potassium, selenium, copper, and minimal caloric content. Cooking mushrooms also enhances their flavor and unlocks their full nutritional value.
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How to identify when they're ready to harvest
Button mushrooms are one of the easier types of mushrooms to grow, and they don't need sunlight. They grow in cool, dark places, typically between 65-75°F. Many growers choose a basement, crawl space, or dark closet to grow their mushrooms.
Button mushrooms follow a predictable growth cycle, beginning with microscopic spores that germinate into thread-like mycelium. This mycelial network forms primordia (pins) that develop into mature fruiting bodies. The white button mushroom is the youngest stage of the same mushroom species that, when allowed to mature, becomes cremini and later portobello mushrooms.
You'll know your button mushrooms are mature and ready to harvest when the cap pops open. You can then twist the mushrooms out of the soil, or use a sharp knife to cut through the stem, just below where the cap meets the stem. You can also look for any fogging during the growing period. Fogging means mushrooms that have gone soft. You need to remove these, as well as any old mushroom stems or spongy material attached to them.
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The growth cycle of button mushrooms
Spore Germination
Button mushrooms begin their life cycle as microscopic spores that germinate into thread-like mycelium. This mycelial network eventually forms small knob-like swellings called primordia (or pins). These primordia are the beginnings of the fruiting bodies that will develop into mature mushrooms.
Spawn Run
During the spawn run stage, the mycelium continues to grow and colonize the substrate. At this stage, it is important to maintain temperatures between 24-26°C (75-79°F) with relative humidity at 85-90% and minimal air exchange. The CO₂ concentration should be elevated (5,000-20,000 ppm), and no light is required.
Pinning
As the mycelium matures, it enters the pinning stage. This is when the temperature is reduced to 18-20°C (64-68°F) while humidity is increased to 90-95%. CO₂ levels should be decreased to 1,000-2,000 ppm, and minimal indirect light is introduced.
Fruiting
In the fruiting stage, temperatures are further reduced to 16-18°C (60-64°F), and humidity is maintained at 85-90%. Air exchange is significantly increased to 4-8 room volumes per hour, and CO₂ must remain below 1,000 ppm. Indirect lighting of 200-500 lux on a 12-hour cycle stimulates proper fruiting body formation.
Harvesting
Finally, the mushrooms are ready for harvesting when they reach full size or stop growing. This typically occurs within 3-4 weeks from inoculation, making button mushrooms a popular choice for beginner growers. To harvest, gently twist the mushroom or cut it at the base with a sharp knife.
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How to pick button mushrooms
Button mushrooms, or Agaricus bisporus, are one of the most widely cultivated mushroom varieties. They are easy to grow and can be cultivated indoors all year round. If you're looking to grow your own button mushrooms, there are several kits available that provide you with everything you need to get started. These kits are an excellent way to begin your journey into the world of fungi without the complexity of starting from scratch.
To pick button mushrooms, you have two options: gently twisting the mushroom or using a sharp knife to cut it at the base, just below where the cap meets the stem. You'll know your button mushrooms are ready to be picked when the caps pop open, indicating maturity. Additionally, you can look for small pinkish-white balls, known as primordia, which develop into mature fruiting bodies. Harvest when the "spines" of the mushroom elongate, and pick them when they reach full size or stop growing.
When growing button mushrooms, it is essential to provide them with a cool and dark environment, preferably between 65-75°F (18.3-23.8°C). Shield them from light and disturbances by choosing a suitable location, such as a basement, crawl space, or a dark closet if you live in an apartment.
Button mushrooms are a rewarding crop to grow, providing you with fresh, organic produce and a fascinating hobby. They are versatile in the kitchen and offer a healthy source of proteins and carbohydrates, along with various nutrients like B vitamins, potassium, selenium, and copper.
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The benefits of growing button mushrooms at home
Button mushrooms, or Agaricus bisporus, are the most widely cultivated mushroom worldwide. They are a great option for growing at home due to their fast growth, ease of cultivation, and the numerous benefits they offer.
One of the main advantages of growing button mushrooms at home is having access to fresh, organic mushrooms. Homegrown mushrooms are free from pesticides and other additives, making them a healthier option for you and your family. The cultivation process is simple and can be done indoors all year round, regardless of outdoor conditions. All you need is the proper equipment, such as a mushroom kit, and some patience!
Button mushroom kits are an excellent option for beginners. They come with everything you need, including a pre-inoculated substrate with mushroom spawn, making the process straightforward and rewarding. With just a little effort and the right tools, you can cultivate delicious varieties like white button, cremini, portobello, or portabella mushrooms in the comfort of your own home.
In addition to providing a fun and educational family project, growing button mushrooms offers a rewarding hobby that can yield multiple harvests from a single setup. Button mushroom cultivation is economical and sustainable, as it requires minimal space and can be practiced at any time of the year.
Finally, button mushrooms are a healthy addition to your diet. They are rich in nutrients like B vitamins, potassium, selenium, copper, vitamin D, and antioxidants, with minimal caloric content. By growing your own button mushrooms, you can enjoy the benefits of having a fresh, nutritious food source readily available.
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Frequently asked questions
When button mushrooms are mature, the cap pops open. You can then twist the mushrooms out of the soil or cut through the stem with a knife, just below where the cap meets the stem.
Look out for any fogging, which means mushrooms that have gone soft. Remove these, along with any old mushroom stems or spongy material attached to them.
Your mushroom bed should continue to produce mushrooms for 3-6 months.
